Friday, September 29, 2006

To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder),please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. Whitelist UsTrouble reading this email? Read current message online or see archives.

"Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 'As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word'" (1 Kings 17:1).

Brooksyne has taught children since she committed her life to Christ in Junior High School. That's over 35 years and she's stored up many funny memories. Once she was teaching on Elijah and in describing Elijah she told the children that he was a "bold man." Making sure that she was not talking over their heads, she asked her preschoolers what the word "bold" meant. Little three year old Mandy quickly raised her hand and with much confidence answered, "He didn't have no hair."

Elijah is certainly among the greatest characters of the Bible. We have no background information on him except for the information found in the daily text, "the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead", which is how he is introduced into the Biblical narrative.

He served God during the notoriously wicked reign of Ahab and Jezebel. He is distinct in the manner of his exit from this world and for later standing with Jesus and Moses at the Mount of Transfiguration.

He boldly approached the wicked, polytheistic king with an eternally true declaration: "As the Lord, the God of Israel lives." Today, some 2,850 years later we who follow Christ likewise proclaim, "The Lord lives". And He is alive forevermore!

But it's the next phrase in the Biblical text that especially grips my heart as I prepare this encouragement. Only three, simple, monosyllabic words, "whom I serve." That was a bold stand to take before the wicked king.

Prosperity, along with spiritual apostasy (falling away from the faith), characterized the reign of Ahab. That's an interesting parallel to world conditions today, isn't it? Ahab, though a descendant of Abraham, didn't want to hear from this prophet and set out to kill him as a result of this prophecy of drought. And there are plenty today that don't want to hear anything from those who represent the living God.

Today we need men and women, teenagers and children, all around the world, who like Elijah will unashamedly declare their faith in the living God. May we personally proclaim, "The Lord lives, whom I serve" and boldly confront our apostate culture. How can we do that today?

Be encouraged today,

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

Today's Prayer: Jesus, I boldly declare that You are the living God whom I serve. Only a God like You can turn evil into good, exchange sorrow for joy, or offer life beyond the grave. May I fearlessly proclaim You to be the Lord and Savior of my life and tell of all Your wondrous deeds. I join with the apostle Paul in asking that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel to those who have not yet heard or comprehended its meaning for their lives. Amen.

PS: In light of the little girl's remark it's interesting that Elisha, who succeeded Elijah as prophet, was mockingly called "baldhead" in 2 Kings 2:23.

Earlier this week I mentioned a billboard that prompted a message titled "Who's It All About." Here's a photo of that billboard.

We found a song new to us that reinforces today's message titled Everliving God. (This is an mp3)

Through the years we have had a lot of humorous experiences in our service for the Lord (let alone family life) On this page we share several of our memories, along with some that daily encouragement readers have sent us.

Barn Sing-along - everyone welcome! Although we realize this invitation only applies to a relative few who receive our daily encouragement messages locally we would like to invite our readers to a Praise and Worship service on October 14 at my Amish neighbor's barn. We will also have another neighbor with his tractor and wagon for an authentic hay ride prior to the worship service. Brooksyne will be leading the worship. More details will be forthcoming. Contact us if you would like to come and need directions.

Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our new "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details.

Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures!Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.)

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com To unsubscribe (be removed from this email list) click on the following link (or copy and paste it into your web browser). http://zip.netatlantic.com/u?id=33466174P&l=dailyencouragement Note: Please do not use the above link if you are reading a pass-along copy of this message, because it will delete your friend's address.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder),please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. Whitelist UsTrouble reading this email? Read current message online or see archives.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" (Colossians 2:6,7).

The other day my computer's music program froze up while playing a song and it kept repeating over and over, "Thank you, thank you, thank you…" Well, I just suppose the Lord wanted to remind me of the need to be thankful.

Contentedness and thankfulness are two desirable character qualities that are interrelated. One of the great sins against God is unthankfulness. Yet it is very dominant today even in the midst of affluence and is actually predicted as a mark of the last times (see 2 Timothy 3:1-5).

In our daily verses Paul reminds the Colossian believers of the foundational steps in the Christian walk. Notice the key words: "received", "continue", "rooted", "built up", and "strengthened". He ends with the appeal to be "overflowing with thankfulness." Today I want to focus on just this single phrase. The word for overflowing means "to superabound."

Paul writes here from a prison, a location surely not conducive to a thankful spirit. He could so easily be in the dumps of despair and compared to many others justly so. But early in His service for Christ Paul had learned to praise God while in prison (see Acts 16:25). Thankfulness is a major theme in Paul's Christian life.

Throughout His Word God has called us to thankfulness. Erwin Lutzer has observed "You can learn to give thanks even if you don't feel particularly thankful. If God gives a command, he expects obedience, whether you are in the mood or not. Thankfulness, like forgiveness, is not an emotion. Thankfulness is an intelligent response of gratitude to God." Amen! May God help us all to overflow with thankfulness today!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

Today's Prayer:Father, my blessings come from a variety of sources, but they originate from Your generous and loving interest on my behalf. You love to give! In fact, You gave the ultimate gift in the sacrifice of Your Son who took the penalty for my sins. When I consider the blessings of family, friends, work, food, and other daily comforts it stirs up a heart of gratitude. But when I consider all the spiritual blessings that I receive as I continue to live in You I am overflowing with thankfulness. May it spill out to those around me so that they too might partake of the Bread of Life. Amen.

Many times we preachers have an illustration, story or experience we like to share in a sermon but don't always have a spiritual point to make with it. (Admittedly, we often share it anyway!) I don't have a spiritual point yet for an experience I had yesterday so I'll just share it here in the footers.

I was driving my friend Jesse on some business errands and we had just dropped off his buggy wheels in a blacksmith shop for repairs. I needed to use the restroom so I pulled into a service station/convenience store in Intercourse. On the door, scrawled out in handwritten letters, was this "welcoming" sign:

Restrooms for customers onlyDefinition of customer: Someone who buys something.

I started to walk back to the truck but I really needed to use the facilities so I walked in and said, "I'm gonna buy a cup of coffee, but I really do need to use your restroom first." The lady scowled her approval. I made use of the facilities and then got two cups of coffee; one for Jesse and one for me and proceeded to pay for it. When I realized I didn't have cash I pulled out my credit card. As I handed it to her she scowled as she told me, "We don't take plastic for less than $10.00". I was taken aback and gave her a bewildered expression as I thought to myself, "Well, what am I supposed to do now? I sure can't undo using the restroom!" I received no mercy from her but went out to the truck and, thankfully, Jesse had some cash and ended up buying us each a cup of coffee! (One lesson in this story is how not to represent customer service.)

I took today's photo in Paradise Township in Eastern Lancaster County yesterday. It is probably one of the most famous farm views in all of Lancaster County and the same scene is used each morning in the daily paper. Here's another photo taken from the same spot but facing another direction.

Amish farmview(Note the one room schoolhouse to the left, along with the outhouses)(Click on photo to enlarge)

Here is a song we enjoy titled "Forever" that may prompt you to consider your many blessings. May it help you to reflect upon the love of God and experience overflowing thankfulness in your life today.

Everyone welcome! Although we realize this invitation will only apply to a relative few who receive our daily encouragement messages locally we would like to invite you to a Praise and Worship service on October 14 at my Amish neighbor's barn. We will also have another neighbor sharing a hay ride prior to the worship service. Brooksyne will be leading the worship. More details will be forthcoming.

Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our new "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details.

Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures!Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.)

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com To unsubscribe (be removed from this email list) click on the following link (or copy and paste it into your web browser). http://zip.netatlantic.com/u?id=33466174P&l=dailyencouragement Note: Please do not use the above link if you are reading a pass-along copy of this message, because it will delete your friend's address.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder),please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. Whitelist UsTrouble reading this email? Read current message online or see archives.

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).

Brooksyne and I enjoy interfacing with young people, expressing personal interest and challenging them to live for the Lord. Sunday evening after the church service we gathered with a group of youth in a restaurant and spent time getting to know them better as we talked about their schooling, their jobs, and their challenges.

We realize we are no longer cool (I am not sure we ever really were, but I suppose we thought we were). Now we are just two adults in our fifties which is an ancient age to the kids. The young people sensed our genuine interest and love for them as we shared around the table and were very responsive and seemed appreciative. We find that the usual barrier of age differences diminish when genuine love and interest is expressed to those whom we reach out to. This is true for those from each end of the age spectrum.

Today millions of students demonstrate their faith in God by praying around the flagpole at their local school. Many of you have heard about this event that only began in 1990 and yet now has spread worldwide with millions participating. May the Lord indeed bless and encourage Christian young people around the world and empower them to take a stand for Jesus Christ as they live out their faith in an increasingly hostile world.

Putting on the full armor of God is a daily exercise for believers in every generation. It is never optional for the Christian who desires to live in victory. We all face the day of evil and in so many ways it seems our young people face degrees of evil that we were never exposed to. I just read an article about the extent of sexual perversion that is actually being taught and affirmed as "good" in schools in Massachusetts and of course this is spreading.* Godly parents and students who seek to take a stand against it are reviled by the powers that be.

For many years I have been intrigued by the final phrase in our daily text, "you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." The repetition is for emphasis. We must, by God's grace and the appropriation of His appointed armor, keep standing in the midst of adversity that is certain to come our way.

Although there is no question that the very public atmosphere of the "See you at the pole" event does make a statement regarding a stand for the Lord, I hope for the majority of participants it's also an earnest expression of their faith and dependency on God. Today I pray that each of you, however old you are or wherever you may live, will have a holy boldness in appropriately expressing your faith. Indeed, let us all take a stand!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer:Jesus, I want to be vigilant in equipping myself today as I battle the spiritual forces of evil. Though I wage war in this present and evil generation I have a body guard in the presence of the Holy Spirit Who gives me power over the enemy of my soul. Today, I stand against the devil's schemes because I take on the full armor of God; the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. As I prayerfully take on this spiritual armor I am fully equipped with the necessary provisions to overcome discouragement and defeat. Instead I am a conqueror who stands triumphant by Your grace, Lord Jesus Christ! Amen.

* For those who want to read this article here is a webpage describing the situation in Massachusetts. I want to caution you that in merely describing the perversions some of the material is inevitably offensive while also being informative. It's also a reminder that even in the frontlines of evil there are people trying to take a stand.

Stephen and I want to give thanks to the Lord for overseeing a situation that could have been serious yesterday. As devoted readers know I grow a large assortment of flowers and for the past three years I've been growing the Hyacinth Bean Vine pictured to the right. The pods and beans are poisonous but can be eaten if thoroughly boiled, changing the water several times. I've read where this plant is popular in Africa and is commonly eaten by the Africans.

Yesterday Ester decided to pick three pods from this plant and dissect them to see what they were made of. (She is inspired to study and observe by her high school science teacher.) The sight of the plump beans must have stirred up her appetite and she decided to eat about 12 beans. I discovered the cut up pods on a cutting board on the kitchen table and quickly noticed the missing beans. She had forgotten about my warnings early on about this poisonous plant and decided to partake.

Though she exhibited no poisoning symptoms, to be on the safe side, I called Poison Control. They recognized the toxic plant right away and asked, "How is your little one?" I said "My little one is 17 years old!" After learning of Ester's medical history they felt strongly that she should be checked out at the E.R. Ester is fine due to the fact that she ingested only a few beans. So here's a warning for any who might grow this plant around young children or those who should know better. I'm very grateful that our story has a good ending and will now serve as a funny memory for Ester down the road as well as a warning!

This morning I heard the customary shriek for the first time this fall. I learned that scream after 30 years of marriage. Our cat Dottie had found a baby mouse and played it out without killing it. Brooksyne found it in our hallway and let out a scream. Our neighbor likes baby mice so we let her hold it for a photo!

Here's a great song expressing a renewal of our commitment to stand and live for the Lord titled, "With All I Am" (mp3 audio file)

Everyone welcome! Although we realize this invitation will only apply to a relative few who receive our daily encouragement messages locally we would like to invite you to a Praise and Worship service on October 14 at my Amish neighbor's barn. We will also have another neighbor sharing a hay ride prior to the worship service. Brooksyne will be leading the worship. More details will be forthcoming. A reader from Los Angeles wrote yesterday and shared this thought: "Sorry I will miss the praise and worship in the barn!! That to me would be better than going to Hawaii!!" She has expressed on several occasions how much she enjoys reading about life in the country and we are so pleased to share.

Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our new "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details.

Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures!Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.)

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com To unsubscribe (be removed from this email list) click on the following link (or copy and paste it into your web browser). http://zip.netatlantic.com/u?id=33466174P&l=dailyencouragement Note: Please do not use the above link if you are reading a pass-along copy of this message, because it will delete your friend's address.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder),please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. Whitelist UsTrouble reading this email? Read current message online or see archives.

My Amish friend Jesse and I were out running some errands related to his business this past Saturday. We passed a large billboard for a local bank with this advertising slogan, "It Really Is All About You!" Now that's surely intended as a nice expression of customer service, but it's also a powerful expression of the "me-ism" that dominates the human race and certainly modern man. The natural, fleshly inclination is to live life as if it's all about me.

As we observed the sign we recalled a song that we both enjoy and many readers have heard and probably sang in your churches called "Heart of Worship" which deals with this attitude in regard to worship. It has a repetitive line directed to the Lord that says, "It's all about You Jesus."

I enjoy one on one discipling and what an interesting dynamic to ride along and share in the things of the Lord with an Amish man half my age and sense a spiritual kinship based upon our mutual faith in Christ. I desire to see the everyday experiences of living as opportunities to let my light shine. Ministry opportunities abound for all of us wherever we are and with whomever the Lord may providentially place us with.

John the Baptist is one of the great Bible characters. His God-ordained role was to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus. One of the simplest, yet profound, statements indicating his primary role is found in the daily text, "He (Jesus Christ) must become greater; I must become less." That's not only an appropriate statement for John but is a godly mindset and heart attitude for all of us!

As I've pondered John's statement in recent days I consider how it's an ongoing commitment that needs refreshing and renewal on a regular basis. Essentially we need to live with this attitude; "He must become greater; I must become less." He is the Light; we're merely His reflection. It really is all about Christ!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer:Jesus, anything good or praiseworthy in my life is simply a reflection of Your abiding presence in me. Help me to grow in Your grace and knowledge so that I place more emphasis on Your kingdom than on my achievements. The only true success in my ministry is when I point others to You and deflect anything that would center upon me. I want to walk in humility today as I pray, "Jesus, You must become greater in my life, but I must become less." Amen.

The Amish have some interesting customs and beliefs that are different from the majority of people. I can't say I really understand many of their customs, but I realize there are people that would not understand some of my customs as well (and this applies to all of us). To really grasp this concept one must consider customs from other cultures that vastly differ from our own. I suppose due to a desire to avoid worldly influences and to maintain a simpler lifestyle the Amish do not have radios and other musical players in their homes. However his work truck does have a radio and Jesse enjoys listening to Christian music when we are in the truck and is actually quite familiar with contemporary music. His wife is home with the kids and except when they are traveling together can't listen. He really likes the song "Heart of Worship" with the line I reference in the message above. He told me he would really like his wife to hear the song so he asked me if I would call him and place it on his answering machine. Here's the online version I sent to her via phone! Here's a photo (notice the phone next to the speaker!)

As mentioned above here's a great online version of the song "Heart of Worship" recorded in a church service in British Columbia Canada. This song is also played by Brooksyne on the background of today's podcast. As Brooksyne was reviewing the materials this morning she suggested two other songs that relate to today's theme: "Once Again""Here I am to worship"

Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our new "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details.

Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures!Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.)

You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com To unsubscribe (be removed from this email list) click on the following link (or copy and paste it into your web browser). http://zip.netatlantic.com/u?id=33466174P&l=dailyencouragement Note: Please do not use the above link if you are reading a pass-along copy of this message, because it will delete your friend's address.